Auto-light dimmer.



A. J. FRASCOLLA.

AUTO LIGHT DIMMEH. AP-Pucmon. EILED um. 26. 1911.

Patented Oct. 23, 1917.

ATTORNEY WITNESSES 23% f I a Mm &

ARTHUR J'. FRASCOLLA, OF NEW YORK, N. Y.

AUTO-LIGHT DIMMER.

Application filed January 26, 1917.

To all whom it may concern."

Be it known that I, ARTHUR J. FRAsooLLA, a citizen of the United States, residing at New York, in the county of Bronx and State of New York, have invented new and useful Improvements in Auto-Light Dimmers, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to switches and particularly to switches of the type known as dimmer switches, used in connection with the headlights of motor vehicles.

The object of the invention is to provide a switch by means of which a circuit may be operated to control the amount of current flowing therethrough for the purpose of regulating the light or for other purposes.

A further object is to provide a switch connected in an electric circuit, in which is provided a resistance coil, the construction of the switch permitting the coil being included in the circuit or eliminated therefrom at will, for the purpose of regulating the brilliancy of the headlights of vehicles, or for other purposes.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a novel form of switch arm, which is constructed in a manner to insure a positive contact with adjacent terminals, the said arm being constructed of spring metal and bifurcated, so as to provide independent engaging points for contact with adjacent terminals.

With theabove and other objects in view the invention consists of the following novel combination and arrangement of parts, hereinaftcr described, illustrated in the accompanying drawings and pointed out inthe appended claim.

In the drawings;

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a dimmer switch embodying the present invention;

Fig. 2 is a plan view with the cover of'the box removed and illustrating the interior switch mechanisms;

Fig. 3 is a vertical central sectional View of the same with the coyer in position; and

Fig. 4 is a detailed plan view of the switch and resistance bases separated, illustrating the manner of removably connecting the sectional contact plate with the resistance coil.

Referring to the drawings in detail the invention comprises a box or casing 10, which I is provided with a sectional cover consisting of the upper section 11 and the lower sec- Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Oct. 23, 1917.

Serial No. 144,691.

tion 12. "The switch box 10 may be constructed of suitable material and is provided with apertures 13 for the passage of suitable insulating wires 14 and 15. Located within the box 10 is a sectional switch base composed of the sections 16 and 17, which are formed of suitable insulating material.

Secured to the section 16, which is the switch base, is a sectional contact plate comprising an arcuate center contact plate 18 and adjacent end contact plates 19 and 20, these various plates being secured to the switch base by means of suitable screws or other fastening devices. The section 17 which is the resistance base, has mounted thereon metallic standards 21, which are adapted to receive a core 22 of the resistance coil 23. Mounted u on the end contact plates 19 and 20 are binding posts 24 and 25, each having secured thereto spring wire connecting arms 26 and 27 respectively, these arms being adapted to enter openings 28 provided in, each of the standards 21. It will thus be seen that the sectional contact plate is removably connected to the resistance coil, so that the said coil may be readily removed and another substituted should it become necessary.

Mounted upon a central post 29 is a movable split spring contact arm 30, the said arm being adapted to bridge the spaces 31 and 32 provided in the sectional contact plate, so as to establish a circuit between the center plate 18 and either of the end contact plates 19 or 20. 'The arm 30 is bifurcated or split at its outer end as shown at 33, in order to insure a positive contact between the center plate 18 and either of the adjacent end plates. Stops 34 are located upon either side of the center post 29 for thepurpose of limiting the throw of the arm 30, and these stops are connected to the said center post by means of a plate 35, which serves to steady both the center post and the adjacent stops.

Located upon the outside of the cover, which is also composed of insulating material, is a washer 36 which surrounds the center post and connected to the end of the said post is a finger piece 37 by means of which a switch may beoperated.

When the parts are in the position shown by full lines in Fig. 2, current will flow through the wire 14 into the center plate 18 and through the contact arms 30 into the end plate 19. It will then pass through the spring connecting arm 26 into the coil 23 and through the spring arm 2-7 into the end plate .and out through the wire 15, in this manner including in the circuit the resistance coil and thereby reducing the amount of current flowing through the circuit for the purpose of dimming lights (not shown) or for other purposes. Should the full strength of the current be described it is only necessary to throw the contact arm 30 to the opposite end of the sectional contact plate, so that the said arm contacts with the plate 18 and the plate 20, bridging the space 32 and causing the current to flow through the said plate 18,- thearm 30, the end plate 20 and out through the wire 15, thereby cutting out the resistance and causing the fullstrength of the current to pass through the switch.

As previously mentioned the switch is susceptible of use for other purposes than in dimming the lights of motor vehicles. It

may for example. be included in an ordinary lighting system for the purpose of regulating one or more of the, lights of the said system, without breaking into the circuit.

Having described the invention, what I claim is;

An electric light dimmer comprising in combination a housing, a sectional insulating block Within said housing, a plurality of spaced contact plates secured to one section of said block, a switch arm also secured to said section for movement over said plates, independent spring engaging points formed on said arm for the purpose of bridging and insuring a positive contact with said spaced contact plates, a resistance coil mounted upon the other section of the insulating block and spring connecting arms carried by certain of the contact plates and adapted to be removably secured to the resistance coil.

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature.

ARTHUR J. FRASCOLLA. 

